Dear blog reader and friend
I must apologise for being absent for the past couple of months.
My Mum died at the end of April and I simply have not felt like blogging up until now. However normal service now resumes in terms of my local history research.
I hope you find the attached interesting.
Best wishes
Jacqueline
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THE DUNFERMLINE SATURDAY PRESS, SATURDAY 5TH APRIL 1884
DEATH OF MR JOHN GARDINER, LATE STATION-MASTER
Many persons, both in the western and eastern districts of the county, will learn, with much regret, of the death of Mr John Gardiner, late station-master here and at Cupar, which sad event took place on Thursday, at his residence in Cairneyhill.
Mr Gardiner was well-known to passengers on the North British Railway, he having been for very many years in the employ of that Company. For about four months previous to the latter end of 1849, the branch line from Thornton had been made so far as west as Crossgates, and during these months passengers were conveyed between that village and Dunfermline by coach. On Thursday, the 13th December of that year, however, the trains started from Dunfermline for the first time, and Mr Gardiner having been appointed station-master, his long and honourable career as a servant of the Railway at that period commenced.
From the first he gave the utmost satisfaction to all concerned, for it would seem that thought his life before had been spent in connection with our manufacturing industry, he at once evinced an admirable attitude and ability for his new office. Some years afterwards he was transferred to the Cupar station, and there, as here, he won the approbation of all for the energy and vigorous tact with which he performed his arduous and responsible work. After having been for a considerable time at Cupar, he again acted as station-master at Dunfermline, where his long experience well suited him for the greatly increased traffic, and where he continued until his resignation of the office. Since then Mr Gardiner has resided at Cairneyhill, enjoying the well-won fruits of a life of active and conscientious labour in the service of the Company and of the public. He died at the ripe age of seventy-five.
Cairneyhill People and History 